G-Eazy
G-Eazy: On The iPod [Top 10 Songs]
Welcome to the 6th On The iPod feature. To refresh your memories, let me recap what this feature entails. We are asking people, be they artists, listeners, or fans, what they would do if they were stranded on an island with an iPod that held only 10 songs. Which songs would they pick and why? Up to bat: G-Eazy, one of Sunset’s favorite emerging hip-hop stars.
1. Nas – Halftime
Illmatic is probably one of my 3 favorite albums of all time. It’s hard for me to pick my favorite song off of it, because it’s really one of those I like to listen to top to bottom. But if i had to pick one song to have on my iPod, itd be halftime. He goes in so hard on this track, these verses never get old. His bar structures and rhyme schemes are so crazy.
2. Kanye West – Drive Slow
It’s really hard to pick a favorite Kanye song, but this one is a classic, it just never gets old. The story he tells is so vivid… And that beat, man… He flipped 2pacs “shorty wanna be a thug” and just made it sound so much better. It’s definitely one you can play over and over.
3. Outkast – Aquemini
4. Johnny Cash – Folsom Prison Blues
My grandpa and my mom both used to play Johnny Cash records all the time, so I heard them over and over again growing up, and I eventually got into his music on my own later on. He’s always been a staple on my iPod or iPhone or whatever.
5. Harry McClintock – Big Rock Candy Mountain
This is legitimately one of my favorite songs of all time. The story of a utopia told from the perspective of a hobo coming down the railroad tracks in those days is fuckin classic. Plus I’d need some of that to keep my spirits up.
6. 2Pac – Thugz Mansion
This is basically pac’s version of ‘big rock candy mountain’. If I was stranded on an island I would definitely need these records on my iPod, just so I could imagine being there.
7. The Beatles – Eleanor Rigby
8. The Beatles – Strawberry Fields Forever
9. Daft Punk – Something About Us
10. Lupe Fiasco – Day Dreamin’
I figure if I was stranded, I’d have plenty of time to lay around and kick it… this would be a perfect record. It’s also my favorite Lupe song.
G-Eazy – Marilyn [Video]
Our boy G-Eazy dropped the video for his 2012 single, “Marilyn” today. This is one of my favorite songs of the year so far. To say I was incredibly excited, on the verge of doing jumping jacks and somersaults at work, would be an understatement. Yep, understatement. Get on the G-Eazy train, if you’re not already. (And if that’s the case, where the hell have you been?) This dude is not fucking around.
These visuals are all too real, if you ask me. I love that they’ve made it into a short film, which is, I believe, what I always liked most about the song. It’s a story, and far too many of us understand it.
DJ Carnage – Loaded Remix (feat. G Eazy)
This is about to be the JAM. Every now and then I need some of that ignorance to bump and this fills that role perfectly. For those of you unaware of Sir Carnage, he’s homies with Theo London and has produced for the likes of Theophilus himself, Kreayshawn, A$AP Rocky, and others, most recently known for the Theo x A$AP collaboration “Big Spender.”
He dropped a video for Loaded a while back which I was disappointed with because it was so short and there was no MP3 to download. But I played it on YouTube over and over again, dancing around cooking wonton soup for days.
Now, I get an extended version with Sunset favorite G-Eazy on it? Why thank you, bartender, that’s exactly what I’d like. Both Young Gerald and DJ Carnage are about to blow up. I’m calling a twitter verification for both of ‘em by September.
I Be Stayin One Hunned/ Vans On, My Pockets Chunky (Stupid Chunky)
DJ Carnage – Loaded (feat. G Eazy) || Download
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Dream Big
G-Eazy – Marilyn (ft. Dominique LeJeune)
Smooth new song from Sunset-favorite, G-Eazy. This just sounds really natural…G rhymes perfectly to the beat. G is really starting to sound like something for young rappers to look up to. He has a unique sound, he’s making a niche market for himself that is separate from a lot of other young, white rappers, and his flow is really easy on the ears. With a beat like this one, I could listen to this song on repeat all day. Really a beautiful sound.
Here’s what G-Eazy had to say about the song:
Check out my new single ‘Marilyn’ featuring New Orleans’ indie songstress Dominique LeJeune. After seeing her play at a small DIY backyard concert, I tracked her down and brought her to my studio. She’s got such an amazing, unique voice, so I was stoked to see what we could put together. The outcome was an extremely personal song about the highs and lows of an intense relationship.
Life is too short trying to hold it all together/ It’s gone before you know it, but tonight could last forever
[via Interview Magazine]
Interview: G-Eazy
At the end of 2011, I hosted a poll on the Sunset Facebook Page asking who you guys thought would be the “next big thing.” There were several artists in the running, but the frontrunner, by far, was…you guessed it…G-Eazy. The white rapper from New Orleans and Oakland who makes a name for himself by doing something outright DIFFERENT. There are days when I get so down about the current state of hip hop and who the young stars are, because frankly it’s easy for them to all blend together. White guys who own Macs. They take a popular modern-day indie-pop song, flip it, and rap over it. But the raps are all too often…well, somewhat empty. And at some point, they all start to sound the same. It’s a case of oversaturation. At times you don’t realize it, and you get down and enjoy the music; but when you take a step back, it’s easy to realize that the kiddy pool has one too many swimmers trying to stay afloat.
Enter: G-Eazy. By appearance, he totally fits the bill for this overcrowded genre of hip-hop today. But he stands against conformity and has created something completely unique. He has chosen to build his music off of gems from the olden days: the 50′s and 60′s. His voice is unlike any others out there; a bit raspy, a bit nasal, and a bit addictive. It’s no wonder he was chosen to be the “next big thing” — his fans stand behind him, and it’s for a damn good reason.
The “prize” for him winning this poll was a featured interview on Sunset in the Rearview. We wanted to take a really personal approach to this question and answer session. Skimming the surface wasn’t going to suffice; we got down into the nitty gritty. So here you have an introduction to G-Eazy and a tour of his personal life. Hop on board; the train is about to leave the station.
Sunset: Who are you? Why should anybody care about who you are or be familiar with the name G-Eazy?
My name is Gerald Gillum, I’m 22 years old, from the bay area and yeah, I’m fucking great at rapppiiiiiiing!
Sunset: What’s your goal in your career?
Ultimately – if I can make a living in the music business, and never have to work a normal job, I’ll be happy as fuck. Obviously I want to be the next big thing, and see my music reach people all around the world, but nothing beats making a living doing what you love.
“Runaround Sue” (ft. Greg Banks) – G-Eazy
Download G-Eazy Runaround Sue (Feat. Greg Banks)
Sunset: So let’s be honest. You’re white. You’re young. You’re educated. How did this all start? Are you part of the young white rapper trend?
No! At least I hope not haha. To be frank, the whole ‘frat rap’ thing really isn’t a scene I associate myself with at all. No disrespect, but I’ve been rapping and making beats ever since the 9th grade… It’s something I’ve been passionate about a long time.
Sunset: If you weren’t a rapper, what would you be doing right now?
I’m really not too sure… Quite honestly it’s a little scary to think about. I never really did well in school, so I don’t think I’d do well working at a normal 9-5. I hate taking orders, and I get bored really easily.
Sunset: What’s the most embarrassing thing that’s ever happened to you?
Tough to say, I’ve landed myself in some pretty awkward situations. This one time I got a nose bleed on stage during one of my shows, that sucked.
Endless Summer – G-Eazy
Download G-Eazy Endless Summer (ft. Erika Flowers)
Sunset: Who is your dream girl?
Rihanna… I’m deeply in love with her (body) and would do some crazy things to her if / when I ever get the chance to meet her.
Sunset: When you’re rolling in the dough, what’s the first big purchase you’ll make?
I’ll probably just go on a big vacation to Paris, or Italy. I know that’s not the typical rapper answer, but to be honest, I hate cars and I’m not into jewelry.
Sunset: Boxers or briefs?
Boxers
“Kings” – G-Eazy
Download G-Eazy Kings
Sunset: What are the top 5 favorite cities you’ve performed in?
Oakland. New Orleans. LA. New York City… and Salt Lake City! No, really, they went ham out there. S/o to SLC they really showed me a lot of love when we stopped through on the last tour.
Sunset: What are your favorite pairs of shoes?
To wear: all black vans.
To collect: Black / cement Jordan 3s.
Sunset: Dogs or cats?
Snoop Doggy Dogs all the way.
Sunset: Have you ever had your heart broken?
Something like that.
Sunset: Any pre-show rituals?
I like to have a couple drinks… usually whisky. And if we have the whole original crew around, we do our secret chant, haha.
Rappin A$$ Rappers (ft. G-Eazy & Meta) – Mod Sun
Download Mod Sun Rappin A$$ Rappers ft. G-Eazy & Meta (Prod. by Adam Ivy)
Sunset: Where do you see yourself in 1 year?
Rolling in the dough! Or at least somewhere with a roof over my head, food in my belly, and weed in my pipe, paid for entirely by music.
Sunset: What would you do for a klondike bar?
Drive two pretty blonde dikes in a car. Or ride bikes to the bar. I don’t know, something to that effect.
Connect with G-Eazy:
G-Eazy – Rappin A$$ Rappers (ft. Mod Sun, Meta)
I’ve been a fan of G-Eazy for a while now, but after meeting him, seeing his live show, and hearing this joint? His ranking is rapidly rising in my books. This doesn’t sound like a typical G-Eazy song (in that it’s got a repetitive beat, no sample, and it’s somewhat hood), but frankly it’s kind of nice to hear him flex his muscles and show his range of skills. His verse is incredibly slick. As is his hair. G hit the spot on this one. Get it? Ugh. Gross, Lydia.
Fuck a rappin ass rapper/ I just wrote this verse to let you know that I could do that/ Hair slick back, now that’s dapper/ Livin in New Orleans where people holler WHO DAT
Live Review: G-Eazy
[photography by Chris Braun]
I was lucky enough to be a sponsor for the G-Eazy show at The New Parish in Oakland on Wednesday night, December 28th. I showed up early to get settled, only to find a line out the door and around the block. It was clearly right off the bat that this wasn’t going to be any ordinary show; the whole town came out to support G.
The show started off with sets from Elmo the DJ, Dj Carnage and Jay Ant. All were good acts leading up to the main appearance by G-Eazy. The atmosphere was great. People were dancing and feeling the openers, but it was clear that everybody was there to see G. As the clock ticked, the room started filling with more and more people who were itching to see their hometown hero perform.
Personally, I was having a ball. It was great to see people of all ages come out for the show. Sure, the demographic was mainly people around G’s age, but there were even some full grown adults who could have been G’s or my parents who came out to see him perform. G himself was telling me how great it was to have people his parents age out supporting him. It goes to show that his music pushes boundaries.
I have to give major props to G-Eazy and his team for setting up the show so well. Aside from it being a sold out show, they were wise to sell VIP passes that allowed people to enter the green room and have an aerial view of the show. The venue was ideal for the setting, and everybody appeared to be having a blast.
MP3: “Runaround Sue” – G-Eazy (ft. Greg Banks)
G set foot on the stage and the room erupted. People were going crazy. I was going crazy. Had my mother been at the show, she’d have been going crazy, too. It was contagious. It was clear to see how appreciative G was, too. My favorite aspect of the whole show might have been G-Eazy’s demeanor. He was polite, approachable, friendly to his fans, and humble. He was having just as much fun as any of the rest of us.
He played a ton of songs, both old and new, and for each and every one of them, he had the whole crowd singing along. Several times, he was able to put the microphone out toward the audience and they were able to finish the lines for him. He also did a freestyle somewhere in there (thanks for the Sunset in the Rearview shoutout!), and he ended the set by doing a stage dive, which set the ladies in the crowd on fire. Consider that a Christmas gift! Oh, and maybe the tit tat you got from G after the show, too.
I would love to go into more specifics, but I was having a bit too much fun to…um…well, remember all of the specifics. But as G told me yesterday, “[I] survived.” That’s the bottom line. That and the fact that I had a fucking blast. G-Eazy for life.
Live footage (apologies for the small size):
Oh and here was my view of the show:
Here is one of me and G hanging before the show.
Related: Sign up for the chance to win a FREE Sunset t-shirt or sticker autographed by G-Eazy!
G-Eazy – Lost In Translation
G-Eazy released a new track on Earmilk today called “Lost In Translation.” I was super excited to hear what G-Eazy had coming for us today, and apparently I wasn’t alone in that sentiment. When G-Eazy, known to friends and family as Gerald Gillum, put up on his Facebook page last night that he’d be releasing new music today, the status received 670 likes and 44 comments. That’s a pretty devoted fanbase right there.
Don’t forget that Sunset in the Rearview is sponsoring the G-Eazy show in Oakland on December 28th. Be sure to buy your tickets now before they sell out!
MP3: “Lost In Translation” – G-Eazy
Gerald truly outdid himself with this sample. He deserves a round-trip to Tokyo.
Let’s make it happen.
G-Eazy – The Coolest Job
Dope. Ass. Sample. G-Eazy does it again. This one does not disappoint. Most of what I’ve heard from this guy has been on point too. Enjoy!
Hulkshare: G-Eazy – The Coolest Job
G-Eazy – Mercedes Benz (The American Dream) (ft. Janis Joplin)
Can you believe it? G-Eazy just pulled a Watch The Throne! This new track, which contains the same dope flow and production that made The Endless Summer such a great album, samples a Janis Joplin song of the same name, and G-Eazy is calling it a feature! That ain’t right, but hey, the song is sweet and all-American–not downloading it would simply be unpatriotic.
MP3: “Mercedes Benz (The American Dream) (ft. Janis Joplin)” – G-Eazy
Now, if someone could just buy me a Mercedes Benz, that’d be greatly appreciated. Swag swag.
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Arjun || Twitter
G-Eazy – The Endless Summer [Download Mixtape]
When I heard the concept for The Endless Summer, I was immediately engrossed. G-Eazy wanted to rap over beats inspired by the likes of Frankie Valli and Dion & the Belmonts. You don’t even have to know who those people are to know that they’re from the 50’s and 60’s. Has Gerald Gillum lost his mind or will his mad production skills bring home this project like it did The Outsider earlier this year?
And then, I heard “Run”.
We throwing bitches off the roof, SPLASH / What the FUCK you gonna do, FUCK fox news and FUCK you, too / Crash a car into a wall and do like Mexicans do, RUN.
Besides the fact that it contains the hilarious chorus above, the beat of “Run” is dopeness. G-Eazy followed “Run” up with the Generationals-sampling “Make-Up Sex”, and then, my favorite song on the mixtape, “Runaround Sue,” for which he made an appropriately themed video for (see below).
MP3: “Run” – G-Eazy (ft. Team Robot)
MP3: “Runaround Sue” – G-Eazy (ft. Greg Banks)
So basically, this mixtape has been on my radar for quite a while now, and finally, earlier today, the mixtape dropped. Now I’ve listened to it a few times, and here’s what I have to say about it. I liked 7 out of 11 songs on the tape, which is good. The production once again carries the mixtape. My only criticism for the tape is that I can’t figure out why G-Eazy repeated “Waspy”, which was a popular track off his last mixtape, and why he sampled “Two Weeks” by Grizzly Bear LIKE EVERY OTHER BLOG RAPPER EVER. Also, some of the songs were inconsistent with the tape’s retro theme, especially the closer, a remix of the opener of The Outsider. I feel like G-Eazy should have cut out some of the fillers and waited ‘til he had enough appropriate samples to fill an album.
That being said, a handle full of the songs on this mixtape are on some higher-level shit.
My favorites are “The Endless Summer”,“Runaround Sue”, “All I Could Do”, and “Run”.
MP3: “The Endless Summer” – G-Eazy (ft. Erika Flowers)
MP3: “All I Could Do” – G-Eazy (ft. Skizzy Mars & Devon Baldwin)
Video: “Runaround Sue” – G-Eazy (ft. Greg Banks)
Here’s what G-Eazy told Karmaloop about “Runaround Sue”, “The song and video tell the classic story of being naive and getting played by a girl that gets around. Aesthetically, we were going after a late 1950′s, early-60s, smooth and classic vibe. My good friend Tyler Yee shot the video and I’m super stoked on how it came out. We definitely did our homework on this one, we paid a ton of attention to detail, and really worked to get the time period stuff down.”
G-Eazy – Make-Up Sex
G-Eazy put out a new single from his upcoming mixtape, The Endless Summer, to be released August 9th (and released by my blog lover, Pigeons and Planes). This track is called “Make-Up Sex” and samples The Generationals. I’m not sure this track will get more than a handful of rotations in my iTunes, but for now it’s light and fun. What do you think?
